Our People > Sadokat Jalolova

Sadokat Jalolova

Journalist

Jalolova has worked as a reporter for some time in local newspapers and websites in Uzbekistan, and has enriched her knowledge in the field of journalism through courses at the University of Michigan, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Amsterdam on the Coursera platform.

Articles

Water resources Water Security Bilateral Cooperation Water Management Irrigation

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Collaborate on Syr Darya River Automation to Improve Water Management

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are moving forward with plans to install ten automated measuring stations along the Syr Darya River, a project aimed at improving water resource management. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia in September 2024, this initiative was first discussed during meetings between Uzbek Minister of Water Resources Shavkat Khamroyev and Kazakh Minister of Water Resources Nurzhan Nurzhigitov. The discussions focused on automating and digitizing water accounting in the river basin. On January 7, the two countries announced that they had agreed to develop technical specifications for the project. Five stations will be installed in each country, with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) assisting in the development of draft technical specifications. Meanwhile, negotiations are ongoing with international financial institutions to secure funding for the project. “This is just the beginning,” stated Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Nurlan Aldamjarov. “Only the first ten sections have been identified so far, but we aim to automate all major hydro posts and ensure complete transparency in water accounting. We are also actively addressing this issue in talks with our Kyrgyz and Tajik counterparts.” The automation of water management systems is a critical step for both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, as the Syr Darya River plays a vital role in supporting agriculture and ensuring water security in the region.

7 days ago

Economy Gold mining in central asia Gold National Bank

Uzbekistan Ranked Second in Global Gold Purchases in November 2024

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan significantly increased its gold reserves in November, marking its first gold purchase since July 2024, according to Spot and data from the World Gold Council (WGC). Global central banks collectively made net gold purchases of 53 tonnes in November, continuing the strong buying trend observed throughout 2024. The WGC noted that the decline in gold prices, partly influenced by the U.S. presidential elections, may have further encouraged gold accumulation by regulators. Leading the list of gold buyers was the National Bank of Poland, which added 21 tonnes to its reserves, bringing its total to 448 tonnes. Poland also emerged as the largest buyer of precious metals in 2024, purchasing 90 tonnes over the year. The Central Bank of Uzbekistan ranked second globally in November, purchasing 9 tonnes of gold. This marked its first increase in gold reserves since the summer and brought its annual net gold purchases to 11 tonnes. As of the end of November, Uzbekistan’s total gold reserves stood at 382 tonnes. The Reserve Bank of India ranked third with 8 tonnes purchased in November and 73 tonnes accumulated throughout the year. Other notable buyers included Kazakhstan and China (5 tonnes each), Jordan (4 tonnes), Turkey (3 tonnes), the Czech Republic (2 tonnes), and Ghana (1 tonne). Singapore was the largest seller of gold during the month, offloading 5 tonnes. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Uzbekistan’s international reserves experienced a decline in November. The Central Bank of Uzbekistan reported a $1.7 billion drop, or approximately 3.9%, reducing total reserves to $41.5 billion as of December 1.

1 week ago

AZAL Plane Crash Azerbaijan Air Transport Disaster Response investigation Russia Aktau Plane Crash

Aliyev Takes Aim at Russia in Azerbaijan Airlines Crash

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has intensified his criticism of Russia, accusing it of a “cover-up” over the Azerbaijan Airlines plane which crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau on December 25. During a televised address, Aliyev expressed Azerbaijan’s “surprise, regret, and righteous indignation” over what he described as “absurd” explanations for the crash. Departing from protocol, Aliyev delivered his address in Russian, a poignant choice that heightened the gravity of his message. “I can confidently say that the guilt for the deaths of Azerbaijani citizens in this accident lies with the representatives of the Russian Federation,” Aliyev stated. “We demand justice, we demand punishment of the guilty, we demand complete transparency and humane treatment… If the city of Grozny had taken timely measures to close Russian airspace over its territory, if all the rules of ground services had been observed, and if there had been coordination between the armed forces and civil services of the Russian Federation, then this tragedy would not have happened.” On Monday, Aliyev met with the two surviving flight attendants and the families of other crew members who perished, describing them as “heroes”. The Flight Recorders In a related development, Brazil has concluded its analysis of the black boxes from Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243. The Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center (CENIPA) confirmed that the findings were handed over to Kazakhstan’s Aviation Accident Investigation Department in line with international protocols for aircraft accident investigations. These results will contribute to the final report on the incident. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia (TCA), the incident led the Commission on Aviation Incident Investigation, headed by Kazakhstan’s Minister of Transport, Marat Karabayev, to decide to send the flight recorders to Brazil’s CENIPA. The investigation was conducted by three Brazilian specialists in collaboration with Azerbaijani and Russian experts. Chronology of the Crash The incident occurred on December 25, when an Embraer 190 aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines crashed near Aktau on Kazakhstan’s Caspian Sea coast. The plane was flying between Baku, Azerbaijan, and Grozny, Russia. Of the 67 people on board, 38 were killed, and 29 were injured. The passengers included 37 Azerbaijani citizens, 6 Kazakhs, 3 Kyrgyz, and 16 Russians. On December 26, video footage showing small holes in the fuselage wreckage sparked speculation about possible external damage. Aviation and military analysts suggested the holes might have been caused by air defense systems, given reports from the Chechen authorities about the shooting down of Ukrainian drones in the area. This raised concerns about the potential for misidentification. [caption id="attachment_27352" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Chechen Pantsir Missile Launcher; image: Vitaly V. Kuzmin[/caption] When asked about the possibility of external fire, Kazakh Minister Marat Bozumbayev emphasized that conclusions would only be drawn after all available evidence had been examined. International Collaboration The Azerbaijani government rejected the idea of a Russian-led investigation, opting instead for an international team of experts, including representatives from Embraer. The black boxes were sent to CENIPA on December 29. The crash also prompted a temporary suspension...

1 week ago

Kyrgyz-Tajik Border incident explosion

Explosion Near Kyrgyz-Tajik Border Leaves Two Injured

On January 5, an explosion occurred in the Kyrgyz village of Arka-2, near Kyrgyzstan's border with Tajikistan. The incident was reported by the Information and Communications Department of the Border Service under the State Committee for National Security (SCNS). According to preliminary investigations, the explosion happened while the homeowner, identified as N.A., was cleaning under his porch, where old construction materials and metal objects had been stored. During the cleaning, N.A. discovered an unknown explosive device, believed to be a shell, which then detonated. The Border Guard Service noted that N.A.'s house had previously been damaged in 2022 as a result of shelling during cross-border clashes. The explosion left N.A. and his 12-year-old daughter, who was with him at the time, with shrapnel injuries. Both victims were taken to the hospital, where they received medical treatment and are now reported to be in stable condition. Following the explosion, Border Patrol engineers quickly secured the area. Law enforcement officials have launched an extensive investigation to determine the origin and circumstances surrounding the device. On the same day, a meeting was held between representatives of the law enforcement agencies of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The Tajik side was informed about the incident, and the border service issued a call for heightened vigilance among residents of border areas. Citizens were urged not to handle or investigate suspicious objects but to immediately report them to border units or law enforcement agencies. The explosion highlights lingering risks in border regions between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, which have been prone to tensions and periodic violence in recent years. Efforts to strengthen security and cooperation between the two countries remain critical in preventing further incidents and ensuring the safety of border communities.

1 week ago

Legislation Digitalization e-Commerce Digital Technologies Digital Service

Uzbekistan Introduces New Rules for E-Commerce Platforms

The Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan has issued a new decision titled “On Measures to Further Develop the E-Commerce Sector in Uzbekistan”, introducing updated regulations for e-commerce operators, including electronic trading platforms, order aggregators, and digital streaming service providers. Under the new regulations, only legal entities registered as residents of Uzbekistan can operate as e-commerce providers. This includes platforms that facilitate electronic transactions, such as marketplaces, aggregators, and streaming services. Entities or individual entrepreneurs that merely provide information about goods, services, or digital products without engaging in electronic contracts or transactions are not classified as e-commerce operators under these rules. From July 1, 2025, e-commerce operators in Uzbekistan must adhere to the following conditions: Legal Registration: Operators must be registered as legal entities in Uzbekistan. Compliance with Laws: Operators are required to follow legislation related to e-commerce, personal data protection, copyright, consumer rights, and advertising. Transparency: Upon request, they must provide information about their activities to authorized bodies free of charge. Retail Trade Rules: Operators must comply with retail trade regulations. Operational Standards: They must maintain an information system capable of ensuring the effective provision of services to e-commerce participants. These new measures are part of Uzbekistan’s broader efforts to regulate and encourage growth in its rapidly expanding e-commerce sector. Meanwhile, The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Russian e-commerce giant Wildberries is planning to enter the Tajikistan and Turkmenistan markets. Wildberries currently operates in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia, offering a wide range of products, including clothing, footwear, electronics, and home furnishings. By setting clear rules for e-commerce operators, Uzbekistan aims to create a more structured and reliable digital marketplace, ensuring transparency, consumer protection, and compliance with international standards.

1 week ago